Packaging having a flexible tube and divisible lid

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an integral packaging and including a tube, a lid, and a divisible area, the divisible area connecting the head of the tube to the lid and surrounding an axial channel that is shut off by the lid arranged in a turned-up position, the lid and the head having respective outer surfaces facing one another and respectively concave and convex, and the divisible area extending in a half-space defined by a plane perpendicular to the axis and containing the lid. The outer surfaces of the lid and the head have two corresponding respective points an angular distance of which, with said angular distance being measured by an angle at least partially covering the divisible area and with the top of said angular distance belonging to the axis, is no larger than 20 degrees.

The invention generally relates to tube shaped packaging conventionally used for packaging products such as toothpastes, edible creams, cosmetic products, etc.

More precisely, the invention relates to an integral packaging for a pasty, viscous or creamy product, comprising a tube, a lid, and a divisible area, the tube being provided with a flexible skirt extending around and along a longitudinal axis and a head traversed with an axial channel, the divisible area surrounding the axial channel and connecting the head to the lid, the lid being arranged in a turned-up position and shutting off the axial channel, this channel serving as an outlet after breaking the divisible area, the lid and the head having respective outer mutually facing surfaces and respectively concave and convex, and the divisible area integrally extending in a first half-space defined by a plane perpendicular to the axis and containing the lid.

Such a packaging is for example described in French patent FR 2 031 040.

At least similar packagings are mass-manufactured, particularly for containing free samples of cosmetic products.

Despite their relatively ephemeral character, these packagings must respect diverse antinomic requirements, and particularly meet the dual necessity of having a very low manufacturing cost and respecting the quality standards which honor the products they contain.

However, maintaining the lid on the tube by means of a divisible area, hence fragile, poses the problem of packaging integrity in all circumstances.

Particularly, the advantage of this packaging type, as regards the automation of its manufacture, is counterbalanced by the important risk that untimely leakage may occur, resulting for example from the break of the divisible area inside a users handbag.

In this context, the object of the invention is a packaging in which the structure be adapted to short term usage without however raising the aforementioned issues or compelling their users to consume the packaged product all at once thus depriving them of the possibility of recapping this packaging.

To this end, the packaging of the invention, further conforms to the generic definition given in the aforementioned preamble, is substantially characterized in that it is made from polyolefin and in that, in each of the axial planes of a set of at least three axial planes distributed regularly around the axis, the outer surfaces of the lid and the head have two corresponding respective points an angular distance of which, with said angular distance being measured by an angle at least partially covering the divisible area and with the top of said angular distance belonging to the axis, is no larger than 20 degrees.

Two points respectively belonging to the lid and the head will here be considered as corresponding provided that they are located on a same circle centered on the virtual pivoting point of the lid with respect to the head, these points, hence, being able to come in contact with each other if the effort applied between the lid and the head to obtain this pivoting is sufficient to lead to this contact.

Furthermore, it is judicious to provide that, in each of the aforementioned axial planes and in a radially inner area to the two corresponding points, the outer surface of the lid makes with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis an undercuts angle at least equal to 5 degrees.

Furthermore, in each of these same axial planes and in the radially inner area to the two corresponding points, the outer surfaces of the lid and the head together make an angle preferably no larger than 10 degrees.

Advantageously, the outer surface of the lid extends, at a distance from the axis, to an edge at least partially contained in the plane delimiting the first half-space and defining, in this plane, a support polygon for the packaging once placed in a recapped operational configuration after breakage of the divisible area.

It is also advisable to provide that a portion of the outer surface of the head belongs to the first half-space.

The minimum ratio of the radius of the portion of the outer surface of the head belonging to the first half-space to the radius of the inner side of the lateral wall of the lid may thus be at least equal to 0.5, or even be equal to 0.7.

In the simplest embodiment of the packaging of the invention, the outer surfaces of the lid and head exhibit a rotational symmetry around the longitudinal axis.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description, for reference only and in no way limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a raised view of a packaging conform to a possible embodiment of the invention, represented in its original configuration;

FIG. 2 is a partial axial cross-sectional schematic view of a packaging conform to a first embodiment of the invention, represented in its original configuration;

FIG. 3 is a partial axial cross-sectional schematic view of a packaging conform to a second embodiment of the invention, represented in its original configuration; and

FIG. 4 is a partial axial cross-sectional enlarged scale view of a packaging conform to a third embodiment of the invention, represented in its original configuration.

As previously indicated, the invention relates to a packaging for pasty, viscous or creamy products, comprising a tube 1, a lid 2, and a divisible area 3.

This packaging is integral, by injecting a thermoplastic material belonging to the polyolefin's class.

A polyolefin from the polypropylene family or the polyethylene family will be preferably selected.

A polypropylene will advantageously be retained if stiffness of the lid and hold of the wall are sought for the surfactants in the creams packaged into the tube.

However, a polyethylene will preferably be retained, and more preferably a linear polyethylene or a high-density polyethylene, if the barrier properties of the tube wall and particularly water vapor barrier properties are to be privileged.

The tube 1 is mainly formed of a flexible skirt 11 and a head 12, the skirt extending around and along a longitudinal axis Z.

The flexible skirt 11 exhibits, opposite to the head 12, a filling end 111 that is initially open.

The product intended to be dispensed by the tube 1 is introduced into this tube through the filling end 111 which, once the tube filled, is closed again by crushing and automatic heat welding.

The head 12 is traversed by an axial channel 120 at least partially surrounded by the divisible area 3.

The breakage of the divisible area places the packaging in its operational configuration, and allows the axial channel 120 to fulfill the function of outlet to the product contained in the tube.

In the original configuration of the packaging, which is that illustrated in the figs., the divisible area 3 connects the head 12 to the lid 2, the lid 2 thus being arranged in a turned-up position and shutting off the axial channel 120.

In this original configuration, the lid 2 and head 12 exhibit respective mutually facing outer surfaces, 21 and 121.

The outer surface 21 of the lid 20 is concave, whereas the outer surface 121 of the head 12 is convex.

Each one of these surfaces 21 and 121 entirely surrounds the longitudinal axis Z. In other words, any plane passing by axis Z necessarily contains points of each of the surfaces 21 and 121.

However, whereas the outer surface 121 of the head 12 must be formed of one single piece in order to ensure the permeability of the tube 1, the outer surface 21 of the lid 20 may possibly be opened locally.

Furthermore, the divisible area 3 integrally extends into a first half-space that is delimited by a plane E perpendicular to the axis Z and which contains the lid 2.

As the figs. show, the outer surfaces 21 and 121 of the lid 2 and head 12 may exhibit a rotational symmetry around the longitudinal axis Z.

A packaging such as described until now is particularly known by French patent FR 2 031 040.

Apart from its outer surface 21, the lid 2 exhibits a lateral wall 22 which serves as gripping means for this lid 2, and which connects to the outer surface 21 at the edge 20 of this outer surface.

The lid 2 may also optionally comprise a central spur 23 connecting with the outer surface 21 and surrounded by the lateral wall 22.

In the original configuration of the packaging illustrated in the figs., the spur 23 of the lid 2 points in the longitudinal axis Z by being turned in the opposite direction to the tube 1.

The breakage of the divisible area 3 makes it possible to place this packaging in an operational configuration by separating the lid 2 from the tube 1, thus causing the opening of the channel 120 forming the outlet.

This packaging may then be placed in a closed operational configuration by turning up the lid and inserting the spur 23 in the axial channel 120 in order to ensure the permeability of the tube 1 and prevent any leakage of the product that it contains after recapping.

Complementary reliefs 125 and 235 are preferably provided respectively on the head 12 on the border of the axial channel 120 and on the spur 23 in order to facilitate, in closed operational configuration of the packaging, maintaining this spur 23 in this axial channel 120.

Alternatively, or in a cumulative fashion, complementary reliefs 225 and 115 may be provided respectively on the inner side 222 of the lateral wall 22 of the lid 2 and on the portion of the skirt 11 that is adjacent to the head 12 in order to facilitate maintaining the spur 23 in the axial channel 120 in the operational configuration of the packaging.

Nevertheless, it is entirely possible, as described in aforementioned French patent FR 2 031 040, to provide other means for ensuring the maintenance of the lid 2 on the head 12 in the closed operational configuration of the packaging, and particularly the complementary screw threads on the lid and on the head.

One of the purposes of the invention is to considerably reduce the untimely breakage risk of the divisible area 3 in the original configuration of the packaging.

To this end, the outer surfaces 21 and 121 of the lid 2 and head 12 exhibit, in each of the axial planes of a set of at least three axial planes regularly distributed around the axis Z, two respective points P1 and P2 which are at the same time possibly liable to come in contact with each other and sufficiently close together for this possible contact to intervene after a non destructive deformation of the packaging.

More rigorously, points P1 and P2, which will here be designated as corresponding points, are points which respectively belong to the lid 2 and the head 1, which further belong to one of the axial planes of a set of at least three axial planes, for example in the plane of FIG. 4 or to one of the two other planes passing by the axis Z and arranged at 120 degrees from the plan of FIG. 4, and which are located on a same circle centered on the virtual pivoting point of the lid 2 with respect to the head 12, when a transversal effort is applied between the lid and the head.

Furthermore, the corresponding points P1 and P2 will be considered as sufficiently close to each other provided that their angular distance, measured by an angle A1 covering at least partially the divisible area 3 and in which the top belongs to the axis Z, is at the most equal to 20 degrees.

More advantageous still, the angle A1 may be at the most equal to 15 degrees.

In fact, the polymers used for manufacturing the tube of the invention are characterized by an elongation at break coefficient, measured in percentage of the length of the stretched area before elongation (ISO standard 527).

This elongation coefficient varies in important proportions—from 1 to 3—for certain polyethylenes.

According to the elongation at break coefficient of the retained polymer, and according to the geometry of the divisible area, one will retain an angle A1 at the most equal to 20 degrees or preferably at the most equal to 15 degrees.

In each of the aforementioned axial planes, and in a radially inner area to the two corresponding points P1 and P2, the outer surface 21 of the lid 2 makes with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z an undercuts angle Ad preferably at least equal to 5 degrees, or even at least equal to 10 degrees.

Equally advantageous, the respective outer surfaces, 21 and 121, of the lid 2 and the head 12 make between them an angle A2 at the most equal to 10 degrees in each of the aforementioned axial planes and in the radially inner area to the corresponding points P1 and P2.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide that, in each of the aforementioned axial planes, and in the radially inner area to the two corresponding points P1 and P2, the outer surface 121 of the head 12 makes, with the longitudinal axis Z, an angle A3 at least equal to 60 degrees.

The edge 20 of the outer surface 21 of the lid 2 is at least partially contained in the plane E which delimits the first half-space.

Moreover, the edge 20 preferably defines, in this plane E, a support polygon for the packaging once placed in its operational configuration after recapping the lid on the tube.

In other words, the packaging may thus sit on its lid, in a turned-up vertical position.

In order to reduce the angle A1 while providing the packaging with a satisfactory stability in turned-up position, it is required that the outer surface 121 of the head 12 itself belongs, at least partially, to the first half-space delimited by plane E.

For example, it is advantageous to provide that the minimum value of ratio R1/R2, defined as the ratio of radius R1 of the outer surface portion 121 of the head 12 which belongs to the first half-space, to radius R2 of the inner side 222 of the lateral wall 22 of the lid 2, be at least equal to 0.5.

More advantageous still, the minimum value of ratio R1/R2 may be at least equal to 0.7.

Preferably, the wall of lid 2 is relatively flexible outside the divisible area 3 and in the radially inner area to the two points P1 and P2.

To this end, the wall of the lid 2 in this area exhibits for example a thickness at the most equal to 0.6 mm. 

1. An integral packaging for pasty, viscous or creamy product and including a tube, a lid, and a divisible area, the tube being provided with a flexible skirt extending around and along a longitudinal axis, and a head traversed by an axial channel, the divisible area surrounding the axial channel and connecting the head to the lid, the lid being arranged in a turned-up position and shutting off the axial channel, this channel serving as outlet after breaking the divisible area, the lid and the head exhibiting respective mutually facing, respectively concave and convex, outer surfaces and the divisible area integrally extending in a first half-space delimited by a plane perpendicular to the axis and containing the lid, wherein the packaging is made of polyolefin and, in each of the axial planes of a set of at least three axial planes regularly distributed around the axis, the outer surfaces of the lid and of the head exhibit two corresponding respective points an angular distance of which, with said angular distance being measured by an angle at least partially covering the divisible area and with the top of said angular distance belonging to the axis, is no larger than 20 degrees.
 2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein in each of said axial planes and in a radially inner area to the two corresponding points, the outer surface of the lid makes with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis an undercuts angle at least equal to 5 degrees.
 3. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein in each of said axial planes and in a radially inner area to the two corresponding points, the outer surfaces of the lid and the head together make an angle at the most equal to 10 degrees.
 4. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the lid extends, at a distance from the axis, to an edge at least partially contained in the plane delimiting the first half-space and defining, in this plane, a support polygon for the packaging once placed in an operational configuration after recapping the lid on the tube.
 5. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the head belongs to the first half-space.
 6. The packaging according to claim 5, wherein the minimum ratio of the radius of the portion of the outer surface of the head belonging to the first half-space to the radius of the inner side of the lateral wall of the lid is at least equal to 0.5.
 7. The packaging according to claim 5, wherein the minimum ratio of the radius of the portion of the outer surface of the head belonging to the first half-space to the radius of the inner side of the lateral wall of the lid is at least equal to 0.7.
 8. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the outer surfaces of the lid and the head exhibit a rotational symmetry around the longitudinal axis.
 9. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the lid, outside the divisible area and in a radially inner area to the two corresponding points exhibits a wall of thickness at the most equal to 0.6 millimeters. 